Monarch Butterflies overwinter between 3100 and 3400 meters (10,000 and 11,000 ft.) above sea level in the mountains of Mexico. Therefore, altitude plays a role while hiking in the area. The air is thinner, the oxygen levels lower and you might feel you are breathing heavier while moving. Some people, especially when you are living at a higher altitude, might not be affected by it. But it is important to take it easy and to observe yourself to avoid feeling mild symptoms of altitude sickness and to acclimatize slowly. The hikes in each one of the three Reserves vary in terms of length, steepness and depend on the place where the butterflies are at the time of our visit. The hiking time required to get to the sites will depend mainly on the level of fitness and most importantly, how each person adapts to altitude. As an average, it will be a 1hr-1.5hr hike. In all the reserves, horses can be hired to save the longest and steepest part of the walk, but it is necessary to hike the last stretch to get to the butterflies (approximately 20 min). We will brief you before each hike, so you can decide in which way you want to visit the reserve.

This hike starts at 2.800 m (9.200 ft.) and takes you up to around 3.200 (10.500ft.). The first part is the steepest but the paved ground will help you. After ca. 400 meter we head into a beautiful, more humid forest. Depending on the exact location of the Monarchs, the last part of the trail can be steep. By the time we visit Piedra Herrada your body will have already adjusted better to the altitude and the acclimation process will help you a lot while hiking up the mountain. Obviously, you have the opportunity to hire a horse for most of the way. Nevertheless, the last 200 -400 meters will be on foot.